SCOTLAND’S private and voluntary sectors are joining forces in a first-of-its-kind partnership set to enable independent living for those with mental health problems and learning disabilities.

National property group, Orchard & Shipman teamed up with charitable organisation Carr Gomm to win a tender with Scottish Borders Council to provide up to 16 supported accommodation units in the Scottish Borders.

The five-year contract will see the partners working to provide accommodation and support for those ready to live within their own home and community.

Angela McLachlan, director for Orchard & Shipman Scotland, said: “Securing this contract with the Scottish Borders Council is a significant achievement for us, not just in terms of business progression, but the opportunity it provides to link up with the charitable sector.

“Working with an organisation such as Carr Gomm allows us both to focus on our areas of specialism which leads to a positive outcome for the service user who will live in good quality, well-managed property and will receive personalised support from Carr Gomm to help them sustain their tenancy.”

As part of the contract with Scottish Borders Council, Orchard & Shipman and Carr Gomm are contracted to provide 16 units of single person accommodation in its first year as well as ensuring 24-hour onsite support for those with the highest support needs.

George Lang, policy and development support manager at Carr Gomm, said: “Central to Carr Gomm’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by giving them the opportunity to lead an independent life in their own homes where they will be most comfortable.

“Despite the Scottish economy moving out of the recession we are still faced with challenges and therefore need to adapt by taking a different more innovative approach to provide housing support to vulnerable people.

“Our partnership with Orchard + Shipman is very unique as the voluntary and private sectors aren’t commonly associated. It’s an exciting opportunity to be able to work with a housing partner in such a distinct way in order to change people’s lives for the better.

“This housing partnership model has the potential to be replicated and expanded into different areas within Scotland and we’re looking forward to seeing how it progresses.”

Orchard & Shipman is a diverse national property group with a network of offices and over 160 staff nationwide.

Orchard & Shipman is one of just two private sector providers accredited by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) and Homes & Communities Agency (HCA). It has also been awarded ISO 9001 accreditation by the British Standards Institute (BSI)